Henderson wants Ulster Rugby to use the pressure

The Belfast-based team suffered a disappointing 37-14 loss at Bath Rugby last weekend, and the heat is on for the Kingspan Stadium side as they seek to bounce back at home. 

“As a team, I feel we do really well when outside pressure comes on, playing with that chip on the shoulder mentality,” said the Irish international. 

“We understand that when we are out there playing, we’re not trying to do it for anyone else, we are trying to do it for each other.” 

Last season Ulster Rugby made the knockout stages after another disappointing defeat to an English side, when they suffered a heavy 39-0 loss to Sale Sharks. 

But there was at least more for Ulster Rugby to celebrate in this year's opening match against Bath Rugby, with the Irish province scoring two tries courtesy of fly-half Billy Burns and scrum-half Nathan Doak, who kicked both conversions. 

For Henderson’s long-time teammate, Stuart McCloskey, the Racing 92 game will offer an opportunity to build on the positives. 

“We’ve always seemed to do well against French teams at home,” centre McCloskey saud. 

“It’s key we have them at home, I feel like we can beat anyone at home.  

“Our home record in Europe is very good so we'd like to keep it that way.” 

Racing 92 will themselves be looking to bounce back after a home defeat to Harlequins in one of the games of Round 1. 

Scrum-half Nolann le Garrec was the star-man in their 31-28 loss, crossing twice and converting all four of the French side’s tries. 

Ulster Rugby against Racing 92 starts at 20:00 on Saturday at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Live coverage is available on TNT Sports, beIN SPORTS, SuperSport and FloRugby.